Head-to-head · Best Countertop Microwaves

Panasonic NN-SN686S vs Panasonic NN-SN966S

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

Panasonic NN-SN966S comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.5 vs 4.6). The gap is mostly about Large households and anyone who regularly reheats big dishes or casseroles and wants the most even, powerful microwave heating. — read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #3 in Best Countertop Microwaves

Panasonic NN-SN686S

4.5

$259.95as of Jun 7

The Panasonic NN-SN686S brings the flagship's inverter technology and Genius Sensor down to a more manageable 1.2 cu ft, 1200W body. Consumer Reports rated it Excellent for both heat evenness and auto-defrost, making it arguably the best-heating microwave in this roundup per dish. It is the pick for buyers who want Panasonic's even cooking without the 2.2 cu ft model's bulk, accepting a smaller interior and dated looks.

Strengths

— Same inverter even-heating and Genius Sensor as the flagship in a smaller body
— Excellent Consumer Reports scores for heat evenness and defrosting
— 1.2 cu ft fits most dishes while taking less counter space than the 2.2 model

Watch-outs

— Capacity can feel limiting if you frequently cook large dishes
— Old-fashioned styling and membrane controls
— Costs more than conventional microwaves of similar size

$259.95 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Countertop Microwaves

Panasonic NN-SN966S

4.6

$289.95as of Jun 7

The Panasonic NN-SN966S is the most capable countertop microwave here: a 2.2 cu ft, 1250W inverter model whose constant-power inverter circuit and Genius Sensor deliver the even heating that traditional microwaves lack. Designer Appliances praises its gentle, uniform heat distribution, and it is the long-standing popular choice for big-dish households. The trade-offs are size, price, and some reliability complaints, but on cooking performance it leads the category.

Strengths

— Inverter technology delivers genuinely even heating without burnt edges or frozen centers
— Huge 2.2 cu ft interior fits large dishes and a dinner plate with room to spare
— Powerful 1250W output cooks and reheats faster than most rivals

Watch-outs

— Large footprint demands significant counter space
— Some owners report premature failures, raising reliability questions
— Membrane control panel feels dated next to dial-based rivals

$289.95 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

Panasonic NN-SN686S

The compact sibling of the Panasonic NN-SN966S, sharing its inverter and Genius Sensor in a 1.2 cu ft body that matches the Toshiba EM131A5C-BS's footprint. Its inverter even-heating beats the conventional Toshiba EM131A5C-BS, Black+Decker EM925AB9, and Galanz GLCMKZ09BKR09; the only thing it gives up to the NN-SN966S is interior size and a little power.

Panasonic NN-SN966S

Shares Panasonic's inverter advantage with the smaller NN-SN686S — both heat more evenly than the conventional Toshiba EM131A5C-BS, Black+Decker EM925AB9, and Galanz GLCMKZ09BKR09 — but the NN-SN966S nearly doubles the NN-SN686S's interior at 2.2 cu ft. It is the largest and most powerful microwave in this roundup; the others are mid-size or compact.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Panasonic NN-SN686S	Panasonic NN-SN966S
Power	1200W	1250W
Capacity	1.2 cu ft	2.2 cu ft
Technology	Inverter + Genius Sensor	Inverter + Genius Sensor
Programs	14 sensor presets	14 sensor presets
Turntable	13.4 in	16.5 in
Defrost	Turbo Defrost	Turbo Defrost
Finish	Stainless steel	—
Warranty	1 year	1 year
Footprint	—	23.9 x 19.4 in

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